Duct tape. I remember the days of my childhood and youth when my Grandpa Tom discovered something that needed fix’n in the house and gleefully reached for the duct tape. That sticky silver solution could be seen all around the house — wrapped around fraying cords, on books, on pleather seat cushions to fix a rip, on window frames to stop a draft …
Grandpa Tom would be as amazed as I was to see what Poulsbo teen Calina Morgan did in 87 hours with 29 rolls of duct tape. Morgan has been named a top 10 finalist of the 26th Duck® brand Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest—in which teens across the country were challenged to handcraft their dream prom dress or tux using Duck Tape.® She’s the only semifinalist from Washington in the running for the $10,000 cash college scholarship prize.
A passion for creation
The dress and Duck Tape accessories (Photo courtesy of Calina Morgan)
Morgan has always loved upcycling and transforming thrifted clothing into unique pieces, so wardrobe creativity was a part of the pull: “I love sewing and creating new things,” she said of taking the challenge. “Fashion itself has always been a creative outlet for me, so when I found this scholarship, I was extremely excited, and it felt like it would be a good challenge.”
Morgan says no particular designer inspired her dream: “I focused on creating something that reflected my own personal style and aesthetic. I love polka dots and am easily drawn to them, so it felt like the right option.”
The competition was also a valuable learning experience.
“It pushed me to think creatively, solve design problems, and step outside my comfort zone,” Morgan says.
Morgan says she’ll be paying for college herself and that a $10,000 scholarship would put a happy dent in that cost and reduce the financial stress. She plans to study sustainable business.
“I am interested in finding ways to solve real-world problems and leaving a positive impact,” she says.
Help pick the winners
In the second phase of the competition, the public will decide the Stuck at Prom® winner. Through June 13th, you can cast your vote on the 2026 Stuck at Prom® finalist gallery. Winners—one dress and one tux as well as runners-up and Red, White & Made By You award recipients—will be announced later this month. The competition hinges on community participation.
If Morgan were his granddaughter, Grandpa Tom would be beyond proud. His only regret would be that Morgan’s fabulous dress didn’t make it to he rprom.
“Unfortunately, I finished the dress 3 days after my prom, so it didn’t work out,” Morgan says.
